Crashing

Skuld · #1 (**permalink**) 08-16-2004, 07:23 PM

Well every so often, while playing Lionheart, my computer crashes. Not to windows, it just completely shuts down. I've got the patch, so I don't know what else it would be. Does anyone know what could be causing this? It's rather annoying.

IcthyDemon · #2 (**permalink**) 08-16-2004, 11:00 PM

post your system specs, your graphics/sound card type, the version drivers you use for each and what version of DX that you have installed.

Skuld · #3 (**permalink**) 08-17-2004, 05:44 PM

Let's see. My systems specs are: p III 750mhz, 320MB RAM, 32MB video ram, 20GB hard drive with 10GB as a windows partition, graphics card as an ATI rage mobility, and sound card is an ESS maestro 2e, and I think I'm running the latest DX. Also I'm running the only drivers available for both my video and graphics cards.

IcthyDemon · #4 (**permalink**) 08-17-2004, 05:57 PM

What OS are you using?

IcthyDemon · #5 (**permalink**) 08-17-2004, 06:01 PM

Preliminary synopsis:

Games on mobile pcs often have video conflicts with DirectX. The graphics drivers used on mobile pcs often are not fully supported when designers make a game. Your memory looks good, however your graphics memory looks like it could be a culprit also.

Skuld · #6 (**permalink**) 08-17-2004, 06:20 PM

I'm using WinXP, solely for the purpose of running PC games and a few other apps I need that require the use of windows. And about my graphics card the only problems I've run into are with openGL games like NWN because my card doesn't support openGL, and until I actually talked to a support tech I didn't realize that my graphics card was on the list of those not compatible with NWN. Even though it ran it ran like crap.

Skuld · #7 (**permalink**) 08-17-2004, 06:22 PM

And game developers should take into account all of the college kids with laptops who just sit in their dorm rooms all winter because it's too crappy out to do anything and they'd rather do anything but work. So we play CRPGs.

IcthyDemon · #8 (**permalink**) 08-17-2004, 11:10 PM

I also play Everquest. It recently had a huge makeover, which utilizes directx 9 and mobile cards are not supported for a lot of the game content. Development on mobiles regarding games just isn't done to the extent that it is on Desktops. The cards are becoming bigger and they require more power. Implementing these cards on a mobile pc is going to become more difficult. I feel for you, but its not just a development flaw in the games, its a limitation on the industry. Theres some cool new technologies coming out that might aid in more powerful graphics solutions for mobiles. In the mean time, there's just going to be limitations.

As far as your crashing issue, there's not much I can say. It sounds like either a driver or a software hangup if it just quits responding. It could also be a system resource problem.

Skuld · #9 (**permalink**) 08-18-2004, 06:00 PM

Well on the most recent crash about an hour ago I noticed the fan started to slow down and speed back up again a few times before it went out. I'd liken it to a lawnmower running out of gas. It sounds remarkably similar. Now that I think about it, my computer's probably just overheating and that's how it handles it.

Skuld · #10 (**permalink**) 08-18-2004, 11:09 PM

Interesting change of pace. This time it just crashed to windows. I dunno whst's goin on. I thought I had it figured out, then it goes and throws me a curve.

IcthyDemon · #11 (**permalink**) 08-18-2004, 11:49 PM

Overheating is definitely a possibility, however, usually you get the blue screen of death on that issue. If it were a desktop, i'd say pull the case apart and give it a good dusting. Mobiles are a bit trickier. If you want fork out a few bucks and take it to get a diagnostic. Or get a friend to hook up a post card and then do an electrical check on it.

Overheating can cause damage to your processor, which could very well cause the kinds of crashes you're referring to. You may want to get it looked at.

joshweewee · #12 (**permalink**) 08-20-2004, 07:44 AM

First you have to check if lionheart is the one causing the crash. Check to see if the similar crashing/shutting down occurs with other games. After you have confirmed that its lionheart, i suggest you should update everything ti the most recent of versions. Including game patches, video/audio drivers..etc
If it still doesn't work then you might want to do the extreme and re-format your com.

Skuld · #13 (**permalink**) 08-20-2004, 02:41 PM

Well this kind of thing never happens with any other game. I have the only drivers I can find for my card and I'm running a patched version of lionheart, so I'm pretty sure it's the game. It doesn't bother me so much, because I'm a complusive quick saver in all games I play. Every few minutes hit that auto save button. I'm just wondering if there's something I can do to remedy it. Aside from reformatting, because I'm not in the mood to reformat at this point in time.

IcthyDemon · #14 (**permalink**) 08-20-2004, 03:02 PM

If the patch didn't fix it, save your character files someplace safe and uninstall/delete the game. then reinstall the game after a reboot and reinstall the patch.

joshweewee · #15 (**permalink**) 08-21-2004, 02:49 AM

Then it'll most likely be your pc specs.